Between 2000 and 2020, the value produced by the grain sector fluctuated in France. It was in 2003 and 2016 that the total value produced was lowest at less than euros.
Cereals production in France
With over 70 million tons of cereals produced each year, valued at more than billion euros, France is the first producer of cereals in Europe. With a collective of more than farms, the cereal industry also represents a significant source of employment in France.
While production remained stable from 2008 to 2015, there was a sudden drop in 2016: from million, the production fell to million tons. That year, fields suffered from bad weather conditions, which dramatically impacted cereal production. In 2019 the production had recovered, with over tons produced.
Cereal crops represent percent of the arable land in the country, and these are produced with many intents in mind. Export grain, animal consumption, human consumption, exports of processed products, alcohol are a few of the uses of the national production. In 2019-2020, almost half of the production was intended for exportations, whereas less than percent was meant for animal consumption and self-consumption for farms.
International trade
European countries remain the first destination where France exports most of its cereal production, but the country also sends its grains to farther lands with success. From 1990 to 2019, France consistently exported more cereals than it imported, in 2019, the trade balance amounted to + billion euros.
Historically France has been the first producer and first exporter of soft wheat, this is why wheat and meslin are the most exported grains, valued at billion euros in 2020; followed by maize (corn) valued at billion euros.
Regarding French demand for cereals, rye is the least imported, valued at approximately million euros in 2020. Conversely, rice was the cereal most imported by France, valued at approximately million euros. Indeed, overall, rice accounts for percent of the cereal production nationwide, a production unable to answer to the people's appetite for the product.